A vigil for the victims of the STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting in Colorado that was organized by Team ENOUGH, part of the gun control group Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, prompted a walkout by students opposing what they viewed as politicization of the tragedy.
2020 presidential candidate Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America activists made remarks that prompted some students to leave. Students then held their own vigil outside and chanted "mental health" in response to the calls for more gun control.
Students from the #STEMshooting in Colorado stormed out of a rally organized by gun-control advocates Wednesday night after growing angry about the politicization of their trauma. pic.twitter.com/uCLEqt89VY — Trevor Hughes (@TrevorHughes) May 9, 2019
STEM students leave vigil, hold their own outside Highlands Ranch HS. pic.twitter.com/aJUkXcttk2 — Michael de Yoanna (@mdy1) May 9, 2019
Powerful moment when STEM School kids spontaneously started shouting, “mental health! Mental health!“ Anguish at adults not recognizing their pain and the pain of their classmates. #stemschoolshooting pic.twitter.com/8U0lAfh64o — Jenny Brundin (@CPRBrundin) May 9, 2019
9NEWS anchor Kyle Clark reported that some students returned to the gym to continue their vigil, saying they did not want to be used to push for more gun control.
STEM School students walked out of a vigil tonight after @RepJasonCrow & @SenatorBennet spoke. Students said their grief was being politicized. They later returned, took the mic, and some said they didn't want to be used to promote gun control. #copolitics #9NEWS — Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) May 9, 2019
The Brady Campaign issued an apology: "We are deeply sorry any part of this vigil did not provide the support, caring and sense of community we sought to foster and facilitate and which we know is crucial to communities who suffer the trauma of gun violence."
RobbieL241 on May 9th, 2019 at 17:08 UTC »
It's almost as if the things the lobbyists are asking for are not a solution to the underlying problem.
Fthisguy69420 on May 9th, 2019 at 17:00 UTC »
Well goddamn, Colorado, you surprise me sometimes. Good for them.
cfox13 on May 9th, 2019 at 16:50 UTC »
And I support them.